Rumor Has It That I'm Pregnant with His Highness' Child

275 Looking at You in a New Light

After the court assembly, the emperor asked Xiao Juan to stay.

However, when Xiao Juan followed the emperor to his study, the emperor still had something else to deal with and asked him to wait outside.

In the end, more than two hours passed.

Seeing that it was almost noon, the emperor called Xiao Juan in to ask about the exact situation of the Eastern Expedition Army.

Actually, Xiao Juan had already written everything about the Eastern Expedition Army in detail in the memorial, but since the emperor wanted to ask, he could only say it again.

The emperor surmised, “In other words, after so long, the 100,000 troops of the Eastern Expedition actually fell into the hands of a little girl?”

Xiao Juan said, “Tang Guixi is the only daughter of General Tang Pei. She has received Tang Pei’s training since she was young. She is familiar with the art of war and is extremely knowledgeable about the Eastern Expedition Army. The entire Eastern Expedition Army is quite convinced of her abilities. Now that the Eastern Expedition Army has just experienced civil strife and is in a state of panic, having Tang Guixi preside over the Eastern Expedition Army can greatly relieve the uneasiness in the hearts of the soldiers.”

The emperor looked at him steadily.

“You seem to admire Tang Guixi?”

Xiao Juan said, “I’m telling the truth. I have no personal feelings!”

The emperor said, “I’ll find out if it’s the truth or a personal relationship. You caused a lot of trouble when you went to Liaodong County this time. Now, not only are the ministers impeaching you, but even the local powerhouses in Liaodong County are dissatisfied with you. You’re making things difficult for me!”

Xiao Juan lowered his eyes. “I have a clear conscience.”

The emperor sneered. “What a clear conscience! Looks like you don’t regret your decision at all?”

Xiao Juan knew very well that the emperor was still concerned about Prince Min and his son.

Before leaving, the emperor hinted at killing Prince Min and his son. However, not only did he not kill Prince Min and his son, he even let them arrive at Liaodong County safely.

This made the emperor very unhappy.

Today, when the emperor deliberately reprimanded him in front of the ministers, he was actually making use of the situation.

Xiao Juan said, “Everything I did was for the emperor and the people of the world. I’ve never regretted it.”

The emperor was so angry that his chest heaved.

“Good! Well said! You really impressed me!”

Xiao Juan knelt on one knee and said in a low voice.

“The rich in Liaodong County forcefully divided up and wantonly annexed the land of the commoners. They maliciously raised taxes, and the commoners complained.”

“If Prince Min and his son could not reach Liaodong County safely, the entire Liaodong County would continue to be corroded by the powerful.”

“When the commoners are forced to the point of no longer being able to survive, they will definitely rebel. At that time, it will be too late for the Imperial Court to send troops to suppress them!”

The term that the old emperor hated the most now was rebellion.

Xiao Juan’s words were like a basin of water, extinguishing the anger in his heart.

He immediately calmed down.

“Don’t you stoke fears. Those commoners don’t even have decent weapons. How can they rebel?”

Xiao Juan said, “It’s precisely because they have nothing left that they will rebel! Since ancient times, hasn’t the dynasty changed because the commoners were forced into a corner and could only go all out?”

The old emperor was speechless.

Xiao Juan said, “As long as Prince Min and his son are still in Liaodong County, those powerful people won’t dare to bully the commoners unscrupulously. As long as the commoners can still catch their breaths, they won’t have the intention to rebel. I think it’s worth it to exchange their lives for the stability of the entire Liaodong County.”

The old emperor asked in a low voice, “What if Prince Min colludes with those powerful people?”

Xiao Juan said without hesitation.

“Impossible! On the way to Liaodong County, I was assassinated. Those powerhouses were behind the attacks.

“Prince Min and his son had already formed a grudge against them, so it would be very difficult for them to cooperate. Moreover, there was the Eastern Expedition Army. Tang Guixi is as loyal and straightforward as her father. She would not side with either party.”

“At that time, the Eastern Expedition Army, Prince Min, and the powerhouses will be in a three-way formation. They will restrain one another and make Liaodong County more stable.”

The old emperor had been on the throne for many years. There were many things that he could understand without others saying.

Liaodong County was bordered by the Chen Nation, and the Chen Nation had been eyeing the Dayan Dynasty covetously all these years. As the first checkpoint against the Chen Nation’s invasion, Liaodong County’s strategic significance was extremely important.

If Liaodong County fell into chaos, the Chen Nation would immediately transform into a hungry wolf and pounce on the Dayan Dynasty to tear a bite out of it.

At that time, the internal and external problems of the Dayan Dynasty would erupt at the same time, and it was very likely to shake the foundation of the country.

No matter how much the old emperor wanted Prince Min and his son to die, he would not lose the fate of the Dayan Dynasty.

He was not that senile.

The old emperor leaned back, his expression clearly softening.

“Get up.”

Xiao Juan stood up straight.

The old emperor: “Why didn’t you say these things in the court just now?”

Xiao Juan said, “These words are just my guess. Even if I say it, the ministers won’t believe me. They will only think that I’m exaggerating.”

The old emperor, who had just thought that he was exaggerating, felt a little guilty.

He pretended to be calm and smiled. “You didn’t say anything after being reprimanded by me in front of all the civil and military officials. You’re quite calm.”

Xiao Juan lowered his head and said obediently.

“I didn’t complete the mission you gave me. You were unhappy, so it was only right for you to teach me a lesson. As long as it can make you feel better, I won’t have any complaints no matter how you deal with me.”

These words made the old emperor feel very comfortable.

He knew that Xiao Juan was flattering him, but Xiao Juan was straightforward. If such a person was flattering him, he would be more convincing.

Seeing how loyal he was, the old emperor felt a little guilty, and his tone became more generous.

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“We can’t let Tang Guixi control the Eastern Expedition Army forever. After all, she’s a woman. It’s not convenient for her to be with men all day long. I’ll get the Cabinet to choose someone to take over the Eastern Expedition Army.

In addition, I will issue a decree to confer General Zhengyuan as the Marshal of Zhengyuan and confer his wife as a first-grade edict.

“Tang Guixi will be conferred the title of County Lord of Xiangtai. Xiangtai will be her fief, and the taxes in the fief will belong to her.”

Xiao Juan bowed. “Your Majesty is kind!”

The old emperor said, “Lu Yaoguang, the county governor of Liaodong County, colluded with the local powerhouses and raised taxes without permission. He annexed the land wantonly and broke the law. He used his power for personal gain and should be executed according to the law!”

Xiao Juan said, “He already knows his mistake and returned the land. He even helped me capture the spies in the Eastern Expedition Army. He can be considered to have made amends.”

The old emperor thought for a moment. “It’s rare for you to plead for mercy. I’ll do you a favor this time. He can be spared from death, but he can’t escape punishment. I shall demote the county governor of Liaodong County, Lu Yaoguang, to the county magistrate of Cangnan County. He will be appointed immediately!”

Cangnan County was located in the southwest of the Dayan Dynasty.

Not only was that place remote, but it was also filled with miasma. Many ethnic minorities gathered there and were very aggressive; it was a place that all officials avoided.

Demoting Lu Yaoguang and sending him to Cangnan County was almost equivalent to exile.

It was unknown if he would survive this trip.

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